José Parlá is a critically acclaimed artist who first started painting walls within Miami's underground art scene during the 1980s. A fusion of influences that include calligraphy, memory recall, psycho-geography, and Abstract Expressionism, his multimedia practice reflects the complexity of the cityscapes in which he finds himself. Born in Miami, FL, and based in Brooklyn, NY, Parlá's work has been exhibited at esteemed venues around the world and can be found in the public collections of the Brooklyn Museum, New York, NY; Pérez Art Museum Miami (PAMM), Miami, FL; and The British Museum, London, United Kingdom; among others. Additionally, the artist has completed permanent public art commissions at sites that include New York City's One World Trade Center, Barclays Center, and Brooklyn Academy of Music, as well as Toronto's Concord City Place and London's Chiltern Firehouse.
La Habana Sunset features a landscape wherein a textured, gestural sky is interwoven with a unique code of writing that reveals a new horizon line. Created as part of a new series of large-scale paintings titled Ciclos: Blooms of Mold, the work visually recalls underground mycelium formations. These complex and mysterious fungi communication networks interconnect everything on Earth through a web of life. As symbolic as it is abstract, the composition is inspired equally by Parlá's youth as a Cuban American in Miami during the 1980s, his world travels, his almost fatal battle with COVID-19 in 2021—during which he entered a three-month-long coma, and experienced dreams that were later translated into vivid depictions that evoke natural landscapes—and his survival.
Of ART FOR CHANGE's initiative of supporting the Brooklyn Museum through this limited edition series, he notes, "The Brooklyn Museum is renowned for its diverse collection of art and its commitment to showcasing the work of artists from diverse backgrounds. For me, supporting the museum is a way to celebrate and preserve the cultural heritage of Brooklyn and its surrounding communities. The Brooklyn Museum provides emerging and established artists a platform to exhibit their work and engage with a broad audience. This is a compelling opportunity for artists to use their voices as cultural ambassadors. By supporting the museum, I am investing in opportunities for everyone in the community and other artists to establish their paths and share their vision to connect with viewers of all backgrounds. Supporting educational outreach and other efforts aligns with my commitment to promoting art as a catalyst for social change and cultural dialogue."
He continues, "The Brooklyn Museum is crucial in maintaining and stewarding cultural heritage for future generations. By supporting the Brooklyn Museum, I also contribute to preserving artistic legacies and ensuring audiences have access to a diverse range of artistic voices and perspectives."
José Parlá
La Habana Sunset, 2024
Archival pigment print on Somerset mounted on DIBOND
22.75 x 40 inches
Framed in white wood
Limited edition of 25 with 6 AP 1 PP
Hand-embellished, signed and numbered by the artist
*International customers are responsible for applicable duties and taxes including VAT fees.
*These framed prints will ship in 6-8 weeks.
